Naoya Tomita plans to deny stealing camera

Swimmer Naoya Tomita, who was summarily indicted for stealing a camera at last month’s Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea, plans to deny committing the theft, according to an informed source.

Tomita, 25, intends to give an explanation of what happened at a news conference on Nov. 6 in Nagoya.

According to the indictment, he took a camera that had been left behind by a South Korean reporter at Munhak Park Tae Hwan Aquatics Center on Sept. 25. Tomita had gone there to cheer on teammates during practice.

Tomita later admitted to the charge after being questioned by police and reached a settlement with the victim.

Before departing for Japan from Incheon International Airport, Tomita bowed to reporters and said: “I apologize for causing so much trouble. I did not do this.”

According to the source, Tomita now claims that someone else placed the camera inside his carrying bag.